Mommy In Los Angeles Magazine - August 2022

100 Pages of L.A. Momspiration

Rappahannock in DTLA: The perfect place for a Mommy Date

BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE

CITY & COMMUNITY

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L.A.'s Tabria Majors has a fun, colorful taste in swimwear

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The conrad hotel brings luxury and finesse to DTLA

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a photo exhibit that displays the lives of strippers

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the 6th street viaduct is the newest los angeles landmark

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karen tong's handmade clay mugs are a statement for your drinkware collection

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roe v. wade - hip hop artists have long wrestled with reproductive rights

MOTHERHOOD & WELL-BEING

FOOD & FESTIVITIES 82

east l.a.'s skateboarder extraordinare things alcohol is boring

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Cover story: Nakeya Fields is advocating for black moms & helping people find joy

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Power to be- moms raising money to help uvalde families

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tequila tesoro & gladys tamez partner to create a bold hat

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breastfeeding is now encouraged through 24 mo.

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rappahannock oysters in dtla: PERFECT FOR A mommy date

COOL, CURVY & COLORFUL

Beachwear & Lifestyle Brand Cupshe and L.A. Model & Body Positive Advocate Tabria Majors have joined forces on a collection that's fun, fresh and fabulous.

"I knew immediately the one thing I needed throughout is color" -Tabria Majors In early July 2022, LA-based Beachwear lifestyle brand Cupshe announced the launch of its first plus-size swim collection--The Cupshe x Tabria Majors collection It is a joint love letter to the city of Los Angeles from Cupshe and LA resident, influencer, and body-positive activist Tabria Majors.

The 19-piece collection features a selection of bikinis and cover ups from 0X to 3X in vibrant colors and bold patterns inspired by Tabria's personal style and the vivid colors seen in murals and graffiti across the city.

"When Cupshe first came to me with this idea, I knew immediately the one thing I needed throughout is color! I never want to shy away from swimwear, so we combined bold colors, unique patterns and textures, and unexpected color blocking in cheeky and conservative styles for showing off your body however you see fit," says co-designer Tabria Majors.

The Cupshe x Tabria Majors collection features 14 swim styles from color-blocked, athletic zip-up tops to hot pink three-piece bikini sets with matching mesh crop tops.

Rounding out the collection are 5 different cover-ups styles, including a two-piece pant set with tie detailing and a black asymmetrical maxi dress with a saucy slit.The inaugural collection made its debut on the runway at Miami Swim Week on July 17th.

The capsule is available exclusively on Cupshe.com with prices ranging from $19 to $45 in sizes 0X to 3X.

PHOTO CREDIT: CUPSHE

JLo Beauty, a high-performance line of skincare rooted in seriously sexy science and founded by world-renowned entertainer Jennifer Lopez, announces its first category expansion with the highly anticipated launch of body care. Introducing JLo Body, a clinically backed line of high-performance skincare for the body that delivers visible results and limitless confidence.

JLo Beauty Firm + Flaunt Targeted Booty Balm ($65) is available now on www.jlobeauty.com.

F*** CANCER

YAEL COHEN BRAUN AND JULIE GREENBAUM EACH LOST THEIR MOMS TO CANCER. THEN THEY MET. TODAY, THEIR ORGANIZATION, F*** CANCER, HELPS EDUCATE AND SUPPORT PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN L.A. AND BEYOND.

Co-Founders Yael Cohen Braun and Julie Greenbaum launched F Cancer in 2010 to honor their mothers.

F Cancer focuses on patients, caregivers, loved ones, and supporters that span generations around the world.

The organization's founders say community isn't connected by a demographic, but by a common diagnosis and the shared challenges and experiences that come with it.

What started as a T-shirt and local events, turned into a Facebook group, which turned into a movement and then an organization.

Why "F**k?" According to Braun and Greenbaum, it's what everyone is thinking during that head-in-your-hands moment.

"It's not sexual or violent. It's defeated and defiant. 'F**k' is a visceral response to a life-altering disease. Taking this private word and making it public is powerful because with cancer, if there was ever a time to say "F**k," it's now," they say.

The two women are motivated by the fact that billions of dollars have been spent on the cure for cancer, while funding for prevention, early detection, and psychosocial support has largely been neglected.

"That is why F Cancer aims to fill in where other organizations have left off and give people the tools and resources they need to put an end to late-stage cancer diagnoses and navigate the cancer experience."

HOW TO PREVENT CANCER SIX TIPS FROM WWW.LETSFCANCER.COM

Get an Anti-Cancer Vaccine

Get Routine Screenings

The Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines help protect you from viruses that can cause seven different types of cancer.

Screenings help find cancer and precancer. They're available for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, prostate and skin.

If you've never smoked, don't start. If you do, quit ASAP.

Protect Your Skin

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Eat Well Eating a balanced diet will help you stay healthy and prevent cancer.

Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer. Sun Safety and knowing about skin moles is important.

Don't Smoke

Excess body weight and weight gain can increase your risk for breast, colorectal, endometrial and kidney cancer.

F Cancer is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It recently launched a new website with a fresh look, user-friendly interface, easy-to-navigate resources, new screening tools, including: *Guides: Whether you're a patient that's just been diagnosed or a caregiver looking for advice on how to support and communicate with your loved one, are looking to prevent or find cancer early, or an employer not sure how and when to support your employee - there's a Guide for it all. *Patient & Caregiver Resources: F Cancer has debuted a streamlined approach for patients and caregivers to find the information, tools, and tangible resources they need, but might not know they need. Whether it's questions for your doctor, checklists for your caregiver, tools to help you cope, finding a support group or cancer navigator, F Cancer has simplified the process. www.letsfcancer.com

ON VIEW THROUGH 8/14/22 AN EXHIBITION BY

elizabeth waterman

MONEYGAME: THE SHOW is a photography exhibition currently on view at ArtBarLA through August 14, 2022.

MONEYGAME print sales benefit the SEX WORKERS OUTREACH PROJECT USA, a social justice network dedicated to protecting the human rights of sex workers STORY & PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH WATERMAN / PR NEWSWIRE

Photos on opposite page top; Emilie and her daughter, Los Angeles, 2018 bottom; Anne Marie Davis at Cafe 101, Hollywood, 2018

Charm at Cheetahs, Hollywood, CA, 2019 - Charm is a participant in the stripper strike at Star Garden in NoHo @stripperstrikenoho

Over a period of five years, Los Angeles-based fine art photographer Elizabeth Waterman spent her Saturday nights in clubs in five U.S. cities, photographing and building a rapport with strippers and exotic dancers.

The Los Angeles Times wrote that Waterman "recast the lives of exotic dancers through a female gaze." She captured them climbing the pole, putting on glittery outfits, and counting their dollars at the end of a long night.

Images from this foray were introduced in her now sold-out coffee-table book MONEYGAME (XYZ Books, 2021). MONEYGAME: THE SHOW, the first-ever exhibition of this portfolio, opened at L.A. venue ArtBarLA on July 23 with an artist's reception and a live pole dancing performance.

Waterman says, "It took months to get access to my first clubs, and find my footing.

No one quite understood what I was doing there. But I came in week after week. I helped to collect the dollar bills littering the stage. The dancers began to warm to me. I showed them my work, and they liked how I saw them. Soon they were volunteering to pose on the pole. I know I've been changed by the experience. I've taken on some of their audacity."

Charm, who performed at the opening, is actively involved in the current, high-profile strike by a group of L.A.-area dancers picketing outside the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood, CA. Their goal is to create the only union for strippers in the U.S., and address safety concerns and working conditions. The picket line has drawn added attention because of the elaborate costumes the strippers occasionally wear – Marie Antoinette for example, in a send-up of the French Revolution. The strike is now in its fourth month.

On view through 8/14, the exhibition presents photographs published in the book, and others that have never been shown – both onstage shots and reflective portraits. Taken primarily on 35mm and 120mm film, the selections include shots from all the cities Waterman visited for the project: Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, and New Orleans. The exhibition was curated by Juri Koll, founder of Venice Institute of Contemporary Art (ViCA). A very limited quantity of the MONEYGAME book will be available for collectors who purchase prints.

"It took months to get access to my first clubs, and find my footing. No one quite understood what I was doing there."

"The dancers began to warm to me. I showed them my work, and they liked how I saw them... I know I've been changed by the experience. I've taken on some of their audacity."

With a nuanced gaze and the kindred spirit of a young female artist building her own body of work, Waterman celebrates her subjects' humanity commitment to mastering their art in service of larger life goals. Often, these women are using income from stripping as part of a well-considered strategy to pay off student loans, raise a family, buy a home, or launch a business.

A portion of proceeds from sales of MONEYGAME prints will benefit the non-profit Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA, a national grassroots social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers and their communities.

About Elizabeth Waterman A through-line in Los Angeles-based photographer Elizabeth Waterman's body of work is the depiction of artists and performers of many genres and sub-cultures. Her style is cinematic in feel, elegantly composed, infused with directness, and suggestive of a story behind the image. Born in Taos, NM and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Waterman began her career while living in NYC. She holds a B.A. in Fine Art from the University of Southern California.

Mimi ivey and son on porch, Las Vegas suburbs, Nevada, 2018

BACK-TO-SCHOOL DEAR DAHLIA Endless Glow Illuminator

It's Back-To-School season. I'm picking the Hobo Handbag, the sanitizer and the scrunchie to handle mommy duties with a Fall feel.

All products featured are L.A.-based!

By Anabel Marquez

JW PEI Women's Gabbi Ruched Hobo Handbag - Nutella

THRIVE CAUSEMTICS Focus Eyeshadow Palette I

AMASS Botanical Hand Sanitizer BLISSY Oversized Scrunchie- Taupe

AIRELLE SKINCARE Berrimatrix Age Defying Eye + Lip Treatment

WOWMOM Feminism & Champagne Candle

SKYLAR Vanilla Sky Perfume Cappuccino, Pure Vanilla, Caramelized Cedar, 1.7 Fl Oz

"In Los Angeles you can have the city life and feel like you're on holiday at the same time."

-Isabel Marant Fashion Designer

KAREN TONG OWNER OF HEO CERAMICS, WHERE THE AESTHETIC OFTEN FLOATS AT THE INTERSECTION OF SEEMINGLY INCONGRUOUS WORLDS. EQUALLY COMFORTABLE DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM BAHAUS ARCHITECTURE, PEE-WEE HERMAN POP, SOUTHEAST ASIAN DESIGN AND SOUTHWESTERN DESERT FORMS, THIS ARTIST OFFERS AN UNLIKELY AND SINGULAR PERSPECTIVE.

INTERVIEW & PHOTOS BY ANABEL MARQUEZ

There’s something very delightful about fun, bright, and charming handmade ceramics. And when the artist that makes them is equally fun, bright and charming— you’ve got yourself an immediate excuse to start rethinking your home décor and your drinkware and begin planning to replace each item in your cupboard.

It’s what happened to me when I met Karen Tong of HEO Ceramics. We were at a women’s conference and she was showcasing her products.

She had a joyous excitement about her that drew me toward her booth.

At first, I was curious about a collection of small, flat, edged ceramic instruments that lay flat on the register counter.

These smooth pieces that caught my attention were a type of skin scraper used in Cao Gío, an ancient Vietnamese medicine practice in which a tool is used to scrape people’s skin to move

circulation and energy.

It turns out, Tong’s mother, who was a Vietnamese refugee, taught her about this practice.

For Tong, who was born in the U.S. and had long aligned herself with western medicine, creating these ceramic skin scrapers was a return to her mother’s cultural traditions.

“It was like a way of me connecting with her again,” she said.

Tong explained the tedious process for making these unique skin scrapers.

“It’s almost like pasta making,” she said. “I have to time everything. I cut the shapes out and wait for each one to dry.

Then, I sand it, smooth it, then wait for it to dry again and put it into the kiln and fire it to 1800 degrees. After that, I sand it again and then I put a glaze on it” For background, kilns are chambers that are heated up to bake clay at high temperatures.

I was sold.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: GAP TOOTH TUMBLER, $42.00; SQUIGGLE & BALL MUG, $65.00; PINK COFFEE MUG, $48.00

CONT'D I bought one of the Cao gío scrapers and Tong dropped another mind-blowing factoid: “These are forever. These are fired to a point where they’ll last longer than us,” she shared.

Excited to bring home my new purchase, I had been so intrigued by listening to Tong speak about the scrapers I hadn’t taken the time to look around her booth.

I turned my body, looked up and, as in a fairytale movie moment, I had an encounter with her mugs.

Karen Tong’s bio describes her as an artist who is “equally comfortable drawing inspiration from Bahaus architecture, Pee-Wee Herman pop, Southeast Asian design and Southwestern Desert forms.”

Her mugs are whimsical and refreshing. Some have squiggle handles; others have protruding pom poms. They’re colorful and serious and playful yet functional.

I gravitated toward the blue squiggle handle mugs and bought one.

Since then, I’ve been analyzing my other mugs at home and trying to decide which ones to replace with more HEO Ceramics.

Weeks later I reached out to Tong and asked her a few more questions about her work: AM: When you're creating art, what types of feelings do you experience?

KT: Lately I’ve been exploring how to express feelings in physical forms, and what an object can convey when viewed or touched.

I take note of the physical sensations I experience with different emotions, and then try to recreate those feelings with my work.

But during the various phases of creation, other feelings often come up, such as hope, frustration, rare moments of relief, and those get mixed in as well, so the finished products end up being a kind of emotional archive of the entire process.

AM: What is your favorite creation and why?

KT: My favorite creation so far would have to be my squiggle mugs because they exude a playfulness, but the seemingly whimsical forms actually represent a very deliberate placement that matches my hand on the mug. In a way, when someone holds one of these mugs, it’s like shaking my hand or having a (very nonverbal) conversation with me.

AM: How has living in Los Angeles influenced you as an artist?

KT: Prior to living in LA, I spent 5 years on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. I didn’t realize it at the time, but in the quiet of the desert, surrounded by the endless expanses, I had the opportunity to travel more internally and find the subtlety in my ideas. Now, though, surrounded by the bustling cultural sprawl of LA, I’ve been drawn to much louder, bolder, brighter ideas, both in my work and in my mind, I think largely just so I can hear myself think!

Around Town TO DATE, 2022 HAS BROUGHT LOS ANGELES A STEADY SHARE OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS, FROM A LUXURY HOTEL MAKING ITS WEST COAST DEBUT TO A DRINK LAB FOR HARD SELTZER LOVERS, HERE ARE SOME NEW LOCAL VENUES TO EXPLORE.

Photo Courtesy of Conrad Los Angeles

THE CONRAD HOTEL LOS ANGELES

PHOTO: CONRAD LOS ANGELES

A SPACE WHERE GROUNDBREAKING IDEAS CAN BECOME A REALITY The highly anticipated opening of Conrad Los Angeles (a Hilton property and the first California establishment for Conrad Hotels & Resorts) encapsulates the bold, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the distinct luxury hotel brand. It offers views and proximity to some of the city's most prominent cultural venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Anchored within The Grand LA, a prime destination for shopping, dining, entertainment and a premiere place to live in downtown Los Angeles, the 305-room hotel immerses guests in the dynamic energy that fuels the city's cultural corridor.

“This is a monumental occasion as we open the doors to this incredible property amid downtown Los Angeles' development boom and we are looking forward to offering guests an unrivaled, luxury hospitality experience in this sought-after destination,” said Danny Hughes, executive vice president and president, Americas, Hilton.

Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry with interior design from world-renowned Tara Bernerd & Partners, the contemporary Conrad Los Angeles is home to two original food and beverage concepts from Chef José Andrés and ThinkFoodGroup: San Laurel, with captivating views overlooking the iconic Disney concert hall and Agua Viva,

Conrad Los Angeles' chic rooftop restaurant where Chef José Andrés makes Latin and Asian flavors mingle on the menu just as easily as diners mingle over shared plates and refreshing cocktails.

"Whether you are coming from across town or around the world, Conrad has delivered a one-of-a-kind, culture and wellness-infused experience that offers guests an entirely new perspective on our great City," said Rick Vogel, executive vice president, Related Companies.

Daring Design With Frank Gehry's visionary architecture, Conrad Los Angeles embraces the vibrant creativity of downtown LA. Taking cues from the architecture of downtown Los Angeles itself, with its rich architectural heritage and vibrant art scene, the resulting interiors bring a layered warmth and timeless elegance for which Tara Bernerd is renowned.

Upon entering the hotel, guests will find themselves transported to a chic yet seductive atmosphere. An undulating ceiling in the lobby echoes the rhythms of the building's façade and lines are blurred between indoor and verdant outdoor spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows. The arrival bar offers a striking piece of history, made out of polished and glazed molten lava that is 11,000 years old as well as Ceppo di Gre stone in the lobby from the quarries of Lake Iseo in Lombardy.

A rich palette of pale linens, interspersed with sophisticated blues, rich woven fabrics and pops of mustard yellow complements the wide-planked pale oak floors, polished concrete and Ceppo stone and contrasts pleasingly with the many planters placed throughout the lobby.

Throughout the reception and lobby spaces, artwork has been curated in collaboration with Judith Tatar of Tatar Art Projects, showcasing prominent local artists such as Mimi Jung, Ben Medansky, and Brian Wills. Casper Brindle continues the theme of California culture with his bright and inviting portal-glyph paintings and artist Jon Krawczyk brings his sculpture work to life on the property's event lawn.

Stunning guest rooms feature a calming mix of wide-planked pale oak floors and natural linen walls, in-suite dining, an open wardrobe with seat and mirror, an L-shaped sofa, and a personalized mini-bar. Accommodations range from standard guest rooms to presidential suites, which are designed to feel like the guest's own personal LA penthouse apartment.

Serene Spa Conrad Spa Los Angeles, led by director of spa Alina Medyanikova, redefines the art of relaxation by transforming the traditional spa into a deeper and more meaningful guest experience with a new boundary-free wellness concept. Through a hyper-personalized ethos, the spa allows guests to explore wellness through a variety of highly-tailored, ayurvedic, and innovative treatments featuring cult-beauty lines.

Energetic Experiences Channeling the energy that pulses through downtown LA, Conrad Los Angeles offers guests a variety of experiential opportunities, from meetings and corporate events to parties and celebrations of any size.

From the 16,000 square foot rooftop terrace with an expansive pool deck — overlooking downtown Los Angeles and The Grand LA — to the walking distance of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Grand Park, LA Opera, and The Broad, Conrad Los Angeles is as much of a place to play as it is a place to stay.

PHOTO: CONRAD LOS ANGELES

PHOTO: CONRAD LOS ANGELES

CONRAD LOS ANGELES RESTAURANTS: San Laurel Located on the 10th-floor.

Menu highlights include Bone-in Wagyu Ribeye; Grilled Romaine with Manchego Espuma; and Roasted Celeriac Carpaccio.

Agua Viva Conrad Los Angeles' chic rooftop restaurant.

Here, Chef José Andrés makes Latin and Asian flavors mingle on the menu just as easily as diners mingle over shared plates and refreshing cocktails.

Menu highlights include Txule Ribeye Burger; DIY Handrolls; and Piña Borracha.

PHOTO BY OLTMANS CONSTRUCTION CO.

PHOTO BY OLTMANS CONSTRUCTION CO.

CHILDREN’S INSTITUTE IN WATTS DEBUTS STATE-OF-THE-ART CAMPUS Children’s Institute (CII) in Los Angeles opened a new 20,000-square-foot campus designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry over the summer, providing the 116-year-old non-profit organization with its first ever purpose-built home in the community of Watts. The $25.79 million Children’s Institute Watts campus is a permanent investment and commitment to the community of Watts, an architectural landmark and a critical resource for families.

“In addition to our annual programmatic support, the new campus symbolizes our permanent commitment to the community, providing a critical resource that will enable our continued growth in support of the children and families of Watts. We are thrilled to increase our investment in the future of this extraordinary neighborhood in such a public way,” said Martine Singer, President & CEO, Children’s Institute. “This beautiful building, designed by Frank with great care, generosity, and understanding, will enable us to be a true partner to the community.”

Since 2007, the Children’s Institute has partnered with families and other community organizations in Watts to transform lives affected by racist policies and limited opportunity by providing much-needed services including free, quality early childhood education at seven locations currently, counseling, workshops, and more. The new campus at Success Avenue and East 102nd Street in South LA, will centralize Children’s Institute’s operations in the area “A building design can tell a kid that we love you,” said Frank Gehry. “A building that is optimistic, that is outgoing and friendly to the community, sends a powerful message of support and care. I hope this building will serve and inspire children, families, and this great organization for generations to come, and let them know that people care about them.”

A LOS ANGELES LANDMARK INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE L.A. MAYOR'S OFFICE

On June 9, 2022, crowds gathered to celebrate the opening of the Sixth Street Viaduct Bridge — the largest bridge project in the history of Los Angeles. Since opening day, the bridge has been closed numerous times due to unruly behavior by drivers and graffiti artists but the architectural structure itself is still worth a praise.

The Viaduct replaces the original Sixth Street Viaduct with a new iconic design, and safely accommodates pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. The bridge contains class IV protected bike lanes throughout its entirety, and is equipped with ADA accessible ramps at multiple access points.

The Viaduct will also serve as a backdrop for other amenities in the area, namely the forthcoming 12-acre park underneath the Viaduct that is scheduled for completion in 2024. When complete, the park will feature new soccer fields, fitness facilities, a playground, basketball and volleyball courts, a dog park, picnic areas, and new areas for trees and landscaping. An arts plaza and amphitheater will be located on the west side of the park, which will feature a performance stage and a

terraced viewing area. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year.

“The Sixth Street Viaduct isn’t just a connection between our communities – it’s a new landmark that represents the tenacity, beauty, and promise that defines Los Angeles,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with my fellow Angelenos who have been waiting for this day for six years and are ready to experience the benefits of this historic project.”

“After helping to secure millions in state funding for the completion of the iconic bridge, I could not be more thrilled to see the Sixth Street Bridge open to the public, especially as a resident of Boyle Heights,” said Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles).

“With the addition of bike lanes, friendly pedestrian access, and a new upcoming park in 2023, we have a new community staple that not only modernizes the bridge but improves community access by connecting the heart of my District from Boyle Heights to the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles.”

1. 3,500 ft. long // 100 ft. wide

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2. 10 pairs of arches varying from 30-60 ft. in

height 3. Broke ground in 2016 4. Created nearly 2,000 jobs 5. Built to move up to 30 inches in the event of a major earthquake 6. After a successful opening celebration, the bridge is now closed until further notice!

THESE FIVE NEW BUZZY SPOTS ARE PLACES TO SEE & BE SEEN IN L.A. 1. Pendry Residences in WeHo celebrated its 1-year anniversary with a record-setting sale of a $21.5M Penthouse 2. The first ever Truly Flavor Lab is now open in DTLA's Arts District. You can order a one-of-a-kind hard seltzer concotion or simply enjoy lunch 3. City Market Social House in DTLA is open for business. It's the only warehouse in LA that allows permanent occupancy of up to 1,000 guests.

4. Andaz West Hollywood, L.A.'s iconic rock 'n' roll hotel recently unveiled its newly renovated highest rooftop pool in Los Angeles 5. Fanny's, inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, offers a good food and a modern take on old Hollywood Glam.

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PHOTO: TRULYHARDSELTZER.COM

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PHOTO BY ANDAZ WEST HOLLYWOOD

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PHOTO BY PENDRY RESIDENCES WEST HOLLYWOOD

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PHOTO: CITY MARKET SOCIAL HOUSE

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PHOTO: FANNYSLA.COM

53-Unit Supportive Housing Development Breaks Ground in South L.A. Elected officials and local leaders celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for the Bethel Manor Apartments, a 53-unit permanent supportive housing (PSH) project for people experiencing homelessness.

The project site will be transformed from a current parking lot into 52 one-bedroom apartments and a single two-bedroom unit in South Los Angeles.

Each unit will contain a private bathroom and kitchen.

Members of the clergy and congregation of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (Bethel A.M.E.) joined SDS Capital Group’s Founder & CEO Deborah La Franchi, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, District 8 City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Congressmember Karen Bass, CEO of RMG Housing Tim Roth, Managing Partner of LOGOS Faith Development LLC Pastor Martin C. Porter, and Executive Director of Homeless Health

Care Los Angeles (HHCLA) Mark Casanova, for the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Bethel A.M.E., SDS Capital Group, and RMG Housing serves as a financial and development blueprint to expedite the building of affordable housing,” said Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson. “It also serves as a moral blueprint. We need everyone at the table to come up with solutions to this humanitarian crisis and I am happy to see our partners are showing up in great force.”

The Bethel Manor Apartments collaboration serves as a model for churches to leverage the land and property they own to receive income while meeting the needs of unhoused community members. The private capital funding model allows for quicker closes and for new construction to be developed at significantly lower costs than most other PSH developments.

Photo: Theo Lindquist

The Broad Museum in Downtown Los Angeles Announces Debut of Sound Installation Ü & EYEYE by Lykke Li Resonant Tones: Ü & EYEYE by Lykke Li Thursday, September 1st, 2022 | 7 p.m.

Tickets: Free with museum entrance ticket; available July 27 at 10 a.m. at www.thebroad.org/events Location: The Broad, 211 S. Grand Ave,.

Los Angeles, CA, 90012 Ü & EYEYE Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 6 p.m. through regular museum hours, Sunday, September 4, 2022 Tickets: Free with museum entrance ticket Location: Oculus Hall at The Broad, 211 S. Grand Ave,. Los Angeles, CA, 90012

Alt-pop artist Lykke Li will launch an immersive, yet intimate, sensory project entitled Ü & EYE debuting at The Broad. On the opening night, Lykke and musicians will perform in the lobby and third floor galleries of the museum, accompanied by the visual installation in the museum’s Oculus Hall. The installation will include a spatial sound composition based on her latest album, EYEYE, and a video piece that amplifies the eternally returning cycles of love, addiction, relapse, and obsession. The images, which reverse into a visual palindrome, are designed to activate a unique memory response in each viewer.

Following the debut performance, the installation will remain on view at Oculus Hall throughout the weekend through Sunday, September 4 during regular museum hours.

IN HONOR OF GIGI BRYANT:

Pearson Park Dream Court PHOTOS BY JAJUAN TYLER

A STATE-OF-THE-ART, DREAM BASKETBALL COURT WAS UNVEILED IN ANAHEIM TO COMMEMORATE THE SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY OF GIANNA “GIGI” BRYANT. Over the summer, Nancy Lieberman Charities and Vanessa Bryant’s Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation made the Dream Court in the Pearson Park neighborhood a reality, with a ribbon cutting for the new outdoor basketball court.

The ceremony commemorated the sixteenth birthday of Gianna “Gigi” Bryant and also revealed a public art installation featuring Gianna and Kobe Bryant. Both structures are donated to the city of Anaheim.

Anaheim is special to the Bryant family. Vanessa Bryant was a cheerleader for St. Boniface Parochial School, which used Pearson Park as a venue for their football games. “I chose this location so the Anaheim community may share in continuing the legacy of Kobe and Gianna, who would be very happy to know boys and girls will have equal opportunity to compete, learn, and play through the game they loved so much,” said Bryant, President of the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.

The event was attended by young people of the Anaheim Family YMCA, who were all were gifted Kobe 6 Protro ‘Mambacita Sweet 16’ sneakers. Before participating in a short clinic on the new court, Bryant addressed the group, “When you play, remember them, and give it everything you have, all the time, every day, on and off the court. Play Gigi’s way.”

“When you play, remember them, and give it everything you have, all the time, every day, on and off the court. Play Gigi’s way.”

The Pearson Park Dream Court, decorated with special images to honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant, is high school regulation size, 50-by-84 feet, with two new basketball goals. It features a high-performance PowerGame surface from Sport Court® in purple and gold. Sport Court is Nancy Lieberman Charities national partner for this program. The public art installation, created probono by artist Brian Peterson, is a 15’ tall by 25’ wide freestanding butterfly and sits alongside the Dream Court. The ceremony included a butterfly release.

“The Dream Court is extraordinarily special because of the friendship I had with Kobe. Vanessa and Kobe created their dreams in the Anaheim community and I hope that children enjoy our Dream Court for many decades allowing them to soar in any direction they choose. I’m happy for the partnership with Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation and Nancy Lieberman Charities. Our vision is to change the lives of children.” said Nancy Lieberman, Basketball Hall of Famer and Nancy Lieberman Charities Founder.

Since the inception of the Dream Courts program in 2010, more than 100 Dream Courts have been installed across the United States to make basketball more accessible to children and provide an environment for them to play.

Over three million youth play on Dream Courts in the U.S., with each court serving approximately 120 youth per day and helping to improve the lives of over 4.9 million children a year.

“The Bryant family has always had a special tie to Anaheim,” Mayor Harry Sidhu said. “This court is a lasting legacy of that connection and will introduce a new generation of Anaheim kids to the joy of basketball.

We are honored, too, that this court in the heart of our city will inspire girls and women with the amazing contributions to the sport by Nancy Lieberman. I want to thank Nancy Lieberman Charities and the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation for this investment in the kids of Anaheim. On behalf of our city, I can’t wait to see the kids of Anaheim go hard in the paint on this incredible court.”

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Your L.A. Home is fine & cozy but your roof needs some TLC, Should you repair, patch or replace?

As the queen of the house, you know how important it is to have a solid, reliable roof to protect your family and your belongings.

But how often do you stop and ask yourself if the very thing that’s got you covered, actually needs some care and attention?

The truth is, every roof needs some TLC over time.

Understanding when to repair, patch or replace your roof may prove helpful and save you from unnecessary stress down the road.

As a general rule, the age of your roof is an important factor.

Depending on the type of roof and shingle, a replacement may be necessary if the roof is more than 20 years old.

Other Warning Signs to Consider Keep an eye out for the following signs which help determine if your roof needs a repair, some patch work or a full replacement: •Missing, cracked or curling shingles •Shingle/Roof Discoloration •Moss or algae •Shingle granules in gutters •Visible sunlight from the attic •Indoor leaks Figure out if your Roof Needs to be Patched or Repaired The good news is, not every home with a damaged shingle needs a total makeover! it’s possible for a roof to get patched or repaired.

For example, minor damage to your roof over a small affected area means there’s no need to replace the entire roof.

A tree branch may cause damage to a few shingles and wind may also destroy shingles. In either case, it makes sense to have the roof fixed, which is usually easier and less expensive. Even if there’s a leak, a patch may do the job—as long as the leak is coming from a single isolated area.

When to Replace Your Roof As previously noted, age is one of the most common reasons a roof needs replacement. If you notice a lot of missing shingles and you see shingle debris clogging the gutters, it’s time to replace your roof. If you notice shingles curling at the edges or significantly discolored, that’s a sign of major wear and tear. Also, something to be very concerned about is a sagging roof since that could be a sign of a major structural issue.

Request a Professional Roof Inspection It's important to hire a reliable contractor who knows what they’re doing and provides quality products to ensure your roof lasts for the long term. For a professional roof inspection offering expert service you can depend on, call BYLTup at (562) 800-5620.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER Just for Mommy in Los Angeles magazine readers!

Get $500 off a complete roof replacement with code: MommyinLA. This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts and must be presented at time of inspection.

PHOTO: VANESSA ORTIZ

BREAKFAST CLUB laza West Covina in partnership with P

Lorena Alvarez, a Los-Angeles mommy influencer and entertainment reporter, hosted the second "Dreamers & Doers Breakfast Club" over the summer at El Pescador Restaurant.

The tropical soiree had an all-white theme and was promoted as an afternoon "Celebrating Women Trailblazers".

The invitees, most of whom are local influencers and content creators, were treated to brunch and drinks as well as music from DJ Ash and the opportunity to hear from three keynote speakers: Anabel Marquez, publisher of Mommy In Los Angeles Magazine & WOWMOM Founder; Noelle & Amy Ramirez, owners of S'moreology; and Lara Scott, on-air host at K-Earth 101 radio.

"We have picked each and everyone of you today because you have amazing energy and we know that you're such great women that inspire and motivate each other," said Alvarez during her welcome remarks.

At the event, the Marketing & PR Team for Plaza West Covina announced that the retail shopping venue would be giving back to the community through the Get School Ready initiative where 100 area students would receive a $200 gift card for clothes and other back-to-school necessities. Influencers were encouraged to volunteer for the event.

Sponsors for the event included Sephora West Covina, Medspa DeLuxe LA and Wowmom.

LOCAL CONTENT CREATORS ENJOYED DRINKS PROVIDED BY EL PESCADOR RESTAURANT IN WEST COVINA. CLOCKWISE: VANESSA PEREZ, ELIZABETH SERPAS, CLAUDIA CARLOS, KRISELL VALENZUELA, EMILY FRANKLIN & KRYSTLE KANDICE AND LORENA ALVAREZ

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Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Protect Women in California Within hours of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to help protect patients and providers in California from civil liability for providing, aiding, or receiving abortion care in the state.

“California will not back down from the fight to protect abortion rights as more than half the states in this country, enabled by the Supreme Court, ban or severely restrict access,” said Governor Newsom.

In addition, Governor Newsom and the governors of Oregon and Washington launched a new Multi-State Commitment to defend access to reproductive health care and protect patients and providers.

An executive order signed by Newsom prevents any information, including medical records and patient data, from being shared by state agencies or departments in response to inquiries or investigations brought by other states or individuals within those states looking to restrict access.The state is expanding efforts to protect women seeking abortions or reproductive care as well as anyone assisting those women.

More than $200 million in additional funding will be added to the budget for reproductive health care services.

Governor Newsom recently signed legislation eliminating copays for abortion care services and has signed into law a legislative package to further strengthen access and protect patients and providers.

“California will not back down from the fight to protect abortion rights."

-Governor Gavin Newsom In November, California voters will have an opportunity to amend the state’s constitution to include the right to an abortion and Governor Newsom has signed an executive order to further protect women coming to California from other states.

According to researchers, abortion providers in places like California are seeing an uptick in abortion patients traveling from other states, where the procedure is now banned or restricted.

The cost of getting an abortion is rising for many of these patients, as people may need to travel farther to one of the 28 states, or to Washington, D.C., where abortion – at least for now – remains legal.

What’s next Several major companies, including Apple and Disney, say they will pay some expenses for employees who need to travel to get an abortion. But most people who cannot afford to get an abortion are not full-time employees of a large company.

Legal experts say that states cannot stop residents from traveling to California to get an abortion – although lawmakers in Missouri did propose legislation earlier this year that tried to do just that.

The murky legal landscape is not expected to stop abortion funds from helping patients pay for abortions. But it can scare or confuse people who want abortions and create uncertainty as they try to figure out where to go for help.

roe v. wade a 2022 timeline MAY 2: LEAKED OPINION ON ROE V. WADE MAY 3: PROTESTS BEGIN AROUND THE COUNTRY. IN LOS ANGELES, PEOPLE GATHER IN FRONT OF CITY HALL MAY 11: SENATORS FAIL TO CODIFY ROE V. WADE JUNE 23: VP KAMALA HARRIS MEETS WITH ATTORNEYS GENERAL JUNE 24: ROE V. WADE OVERTURNED

Roe v. rap: Hip-hop artists have long wrestled with reproductive rights

By A.D. Carson Assistant Professor of Hip-Hop, University of Virginia Hip-hop culture is often recognized as being born on Aug. 11, 1973. That was about seven months after Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that protected the right to choose to have an abortion.

Accordingly, reproductive rights have long been part of the discourse in rap music, which has always sought to hold a mirror to society to reflect its realities, values, ambitions, fantasies and taboos. With the U.S. Supreme Court having ruled that there is no constitutional right to an abortion, rap lyrics will undoubtedly reflect this new reality.

What follows is a sampling of rap songs from the past several decades that have dealt with the subject of abortion and reproductive rights in the era of Roe v. Wade. The list is by no means exhaustive.

Collectively, the songs represent a diversity of viewpoints and are written from a variety of perspectives – from guilt-ridden, would-be mothers and apprehensive fathers to the imagined vantage point of the unborn themselves.

‘La Femme Fétal,’ by Digable Planets (1993) This song actually presages a time when Roe v. Wade would no longer be the law of the land and even mentions Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote in favor of the decision that overturned the case. It features a narrator who recounts a story of a friend who attempts to get an abortion but is harassed at the clinic.

If Roe v. Wade was overturned, would not the desire remain intact / Leaving young girls to risk their healths / And doctors to botch, and watch as they kill themselves / I don’t want to sound macabre / But hey, isn’t it my job / To lay it on the masses and get them off their asses / To fight against these fascists ‘My Story (Please Forgive Me)’ by Jean Grae (2008) This song takes listeners into the mind of a young woman who experiences guilt and remorse after having had an abortion. The song even unmasks the grim realities of undergoing the procedure.

They put you in a room, where you can change into / Your gown and shower cap, shaking as a fiend would do / And that’s when you think of leaving, fleeing the building / and then they call you and you hear the call of your children ‘80’s Baby,’ by CyHi The Prynce featuring BJ The Chicago Kid (2017) CyHi raps from the perspective of an unborn baby who asks his mom – based on the things she does while pregnant – whether she’s prepared to be a mother.

You don’t know it kills me when you taking them pills / But see how it scars me and all the pain that I feel / I’m just here starving, you haven’t gave me a meal / Ma, you think you ready to have this baby for real? / ‘Cause I’m on the way

‘Keep Ya Head Up’ by 2Pac (1993) Tupac has dealt with the plight of single mothers since his 1991 debut album, which featured “Brenda’s Got a Baby,” the story of a 12-year-old girl who is molested by a relative who gets her pregnant and then abandons her. In “Keep Ya Head Up,” from his sophomore album, Tupac defends a woman’s right to choose the circumstances under which she wants to give birth.

And since a man can’t make one / He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one / So will the real men get up / I know you’re fed up ladies, but keep your head up

‘You Vs. Them’ by Jhene Aiko (2011) Aiko, mother to a daughter named Namiko, told VIBE magazine how her song “You Vs. Them” was about her conclusion that it was a false choice to have to choose between having a child and her career. “I was like ‘should I be a mom or should I be a singer?’

But found that I could be both.”

‘Cause if I never had you / Then I could never lose you / Do you know what might happen / If I decide to choose you? / Then the world may just stop spinnin’ / It may just well be the endin’ / Talkin’ all about existence / Who knows? / But I cannot see tomorrow / If you’re not in my tomorrow

‘Retrospect for Life’ by Common featuring Lauryn Hill (1997) This song speaks to the misgivings and strife that couples can experience when their union results in an unplanned pregnancy.

I wouldn’t choose any other to mother my understanding / But I want our Parenthood to come from Planning / It’s so much in my life that’s undone / We gotta see eye to eye, about family, before we can become one

‘To Zion,’ by Lauryn Hill (1998) In this song, Lauryn Hill sings in a soul-stirring voice about how she resisted suggestions to terminate the pregnancy that brought her son Zion.

Woe this crazy circumstance / I knew his life deserved a chance / But everybody told me to be smart / “Look at your career,” they said / “Lauryn, baby, use your head” / But instead I chose to use my heart / Now the joy of my world is in Zion

‘Lost Ones’ by J. Cole (2011) J. Cole raps from the perspective of parents having a discussion about something that could become increasingly rare in the post-Roe v. Wade era: their options.

I’ve been giving it some thought lately and, frankly / I’m feelin’ like we ain’t ready and it’s – hold up now, let me finish / Think about it baby me and you we still kids, ourself / How we gon raise a kid by ourself? / Handle biz by ourself

‘What’s Going On’ by Remy Ma featuring Keyshia Cole (2006) In this song, Remy Ma tells the story of a young and poor mother who wrestles with whether to abort the life growing inside of her.

It’s a life living in my body / But it don’t gotta to live / It’s up to me, but if I keep what the f— I got to give / I mean, I’m still young and I don’t really have s— / And if this n— decide to leave then my child a be a bastard / It’s drastic / Nobody really understands me / My mom don’t give a f— and neither does the rest of the family / They like “Remy, you can’t afford it you expect us to support it” / I feel my seeds apart of me and I don’t want to abort it, so

‘Autobiography’ by Nicki Minaj (2009) In this song, Minaj speaks from the standpoint of a remorseful mother who hopes to be reunited in the afterlife with the child she aborted.

Please baby, forgive me, mommy was young / Mommy was too busy tryna have fun / Now, I don’t pat myself on the back for sending you back / ‘Cause God knows I was better than that / To conceive you, then leave you, the concept alone seems evil / I’m trapped in my conscience / I adhered to the nonsense, listened to people who told me / I wasn’t ready for you / But how the – would they know what I was ready to do?

BEYONCÉ'S A revival of interest in something.

Packed with rousing anthems that resonate with everybody, Queen Bey's new album, REINASSANCE, has stopped the world again.

Beyoncé recorded the album over the course of the pandemic, almost three years in the works, and states that the stillness of that time allowed her to tap into her most creative self.

The seventh studio album from Beyoncé is available worldwide on all major streaming platforms. From her own label Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, RENAISSANCE arrived six years after the globally lauded Lemonade was released in 2016 as a complete surprise.

The originator of the visual album format, and the preeminent visual artist, decided to lead without visuals giving fans the opportunity to be limitless in their expansive listening journey. It is a chance again to be listeners and not viewers, while taking in every gem of the pristine production. While "Break My Soul," the first single, arrived with a minimal lyric video, the release of RENAISSANCE sans visuals is another culture-shifting move from the artist who has defined an era with reinvention.

"Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world," says Beyoncé.

PHOTO: CARLIJN JACOBS

"It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration" -Beyoncé.

RENAISSANCE is a culmination of freedom and escape that encourages unimaginable jubilation, agency, and movement with abandon. The singular intent of RENAISSANCE, a reinvention of four on the floor, is to showcase music that stirs you from the soul and encourages your dancing feet. It is a celebration of a club era when anyone who felt like an outsider sought each other and formed a community of freedom-seekers to express themselves creatively through the rhythm, which we still celebrate today. Welcome to CLUB RENAISSANCE. The magic of RENAISSANCE is also in Beyoncé's soaring vocals, rich, soulful, at times vulnerable and laden with passion and purpose in what could only be described as "SANGING." And it expands over memorable lyrics that are bold, heartened, urgent and categorically timely.

"While we are trying to make sense of things, may we learn to make peace with things."

-Morgan Harper Nichols L.A. Writer & Artist

T H E

F E E L

W E L L

C O A C H

Nakeya Fields I S

M A K I N G

B I G

M O V E S

Nakeya Fields is a mix between a loud, fearless powerhouse and a calm, soothing Zen mentor.

She was selected as one of fifty Goldman Sachs Black Women Impact Grant recipients nationwide and her documentary on Black mental health is currently in production, with fresh footage recently filmed during her last trip to Ghana, Africa. She’s the director of the Therapeutic Play Foundation, a non-profit organization in Pasadena.

She’s also a published author, a licensed mental health therapist and single mother to a young boy named Amare.

“I know why I’m motivated to work this hard. It’s because I’m a mom, it’s because I’m being protective. I don’t ever want to get to a place where I don’t provide for him,” says Fields.

At her Pasadena office, Nakeya extends a yoga mat on the floor. She sits on the ground, crosses her legs, and positions her arms to make yoga hand mudras.

“As a Black woman it has been my responsibility to show up in the way that I can in spaces that I have power,” she explains. “I love helping people find joy in their life.”

Her peaceful demeanor is indicative of a woman who is balanced and centered but don’t take her serenity for weakness.

“When I get into creation mode, I call it ‘Beast mode,’” she says. “Sometimes I intimidate people!”

Currently, her Therapeutic Play Foundation is thriving with clients, contracts and enough funding to have several employees on payroll. The center offers therapy for adults and children as well as massage, acupuncture, and cupping sessions for clients.

There is a nurse that does wellness visits for moms-to-be and soon, they will offer medication management available for clients.

“We’re all about the preventative care,” says Fields.

Before the Therapeutic Play Foundation, Nakeya Fields had a separate therapy business. She was running Fields Family Counseling Services which offered mental health services and corporate employee wellness among other programs.

In her workshops she was a fierce advocate for the Black community, often referring to statistics that show a disparity in health services.

However, just as she continued growing her business, Fields Family Counseling came to a crashing halt with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Her successful therapy center was suddenly in trouble and unable to stay open.

“I didn’t have any clients. My therapists were gone.

Because we weren’t having regular income, I had to pivot,” Nakeya explains.

In that moment of uncertainty, she gave up her apartment lease, moved to her mother’s house and broke down.

“I felt so weak. I cried and cried. My mom held my hand,” she remembers.

She spent four months at her mom’s house. Then she centered herself around the strengths that had made her the successful entrepreneur that she is.

“I had to make this decision to be able to recover. I talked to all my contracts. My non-profit was already established because I did pro bono work,” Fields recalls.

Slowly but surely, she reemerged from the pandemic losses. This time, however, she was feeling stronger than ever.

She teamed up with the Flintridge Center and was able to procure an ample office with room for yoga.

She received the generous Goldman Sachs grant and other awards to help her get back up.

Today, Fields’ Therapeutic Play Foundation offers Mommy Matters, a maternal health outreach program for expecting mothers of children 2 and under; Holistic Interventions including Ayurveda Consultations, Reiki, herbal support for immune system issues and sound baths; Healing Art Workshops where participants get to take community art-based classes; Yoga for trauma and anxiety and Manifest Apothecary offering wellness supplies and tools for self-care to clients who need them.

Upon concluding her Yoga session on this summer afternoon, Nakeya fields looks up at a wall in her office with a sign that reads “I am powerful” and takes a deep breath, followed by a deep smile.

“I care about my work. The quality is real.”

Why Nakeya Loves Los Angeles

“As a Black woman it has been my responsibility to show up in the way that I can in spaces that I have power,” Nakeya Fields

* I get to go outside and take a walk to the train station, then take a train to go to the beach * I can take an Uber and go to a Korean Spa * I can walk down the street and play Tennis with my son * I can go to a local pool and take a class at the YMCA * I can find a sister circle and take a Sound bath *Everything that I can require for my health and wellness, I can find here.

I love L.A. I’m a lucky ass mom!

Tips from Nakeya on learning to put yourself first, without the mom guilt

01.

PRACTICE SELF-AWARENESS

NOTICE WHAT YOU'RE EXPERIENCING. ARE YOU NOTICING THINGS HAPPENING TO YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING? PERHAPS A LACK OF SLEEP, STOMACH PROBLEMS, ANXIETY OR HAIR LOSS? ARE THESE HAPPENING AROUND CERTAIN PEOPLE OR WITH CERTAIN INTERACTIONS?

02.

WRITE DOWN YOUR OBSERVATIONS ONCE YOU BECOME AWARE OF SOMETHING, IF YOU WRITE IT DOWN, YOU CAN'T PUT IT BACK IN THE BOX OF DENIAL. PLUS, "A THOUGHT WRITTEN DOWN, BECOMES A GOAL ACHIEVED."

03.

DOCUMENT THE GOOD

04.

THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF THE PREVIOUS TIP. DOCUMENT THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE. IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING TO TAKE A PHOTO WHEN YOU FEEL SUCCESSFUL, POWERFUL AND LOVED. THIS WILL REMIND YOU THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HAPPY AND YOU CAN GET THERE AGAIN.

CULTIVATE YOUR THOUGHTS

05.

UTILIZE YOUR SELF-AWARENESS EXERCISE AND THE NOTES IN YOUR JOURNAL TO ANALYZE PATTERNS. HOW CAN YOU BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF IF YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? RAISING CHILDREN IS NOT EASY BUT CERTAIN FACTORS CAN MAKE THE TASK PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING.

CHOOSE YOU

BE YOU! KNOW WHO THAT IS. IDENTIFY WHO IS THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF IN A REALISTIC WAY.. DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO MOMS ON PINTEREST AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

'A NIGHTMARE LIKE NO OTHER'

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT MASS SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN THE US AND THE GUNMEN WHO CARRY THEM OUT James Densley Professor of Criminal Justice, Metropolitan State University Jillian Peterson Professor of Criminal Justice, Hamline University When the Columbine High School massacre took place in 1999 it was seen as a watershed moment in the United States – the worst mass shooting at a school in the country’s history.

Now, it ranks fourth. The three school shootings to surpass its death toll of 13 – 12 students, one teacher – have all taken place within the last decade: 2012’s Sandy Hook Elementary attack, in which a gunman killed 26 children and school staff; the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which claimed the lives of 17 people; and now the Robb Elementary School assault in Uvalde, Texas, where on May 24, 2022, at least 19 children and two adults were murdered.

We are criminologists who study the life histories of public mass shooters in the U.S. As part of that research, we built a comprehensive database of mass public shootings using public data, with the shooters coded on over 200 different variables, including location and racial profile. For the purposes of our database, mass public shootings are defined as incidents in which four or more victims are murdered with at least one of those homicides taking place in a public location and with no connection to underlying criminal activity, such as gangs or drugs.

Our database shows that since 1966, when our database timeline begins, there have been 13 such shootings at schools across the U.S – the first in Stockton, California, in 1989.

Four of those shootings – including the one at Robb Elementary School – involved a killing at another location, always a family member at a residence. The most recent perpetrator shot his grandmother prior to going to the school in Uvalde.

And the average age of those involved in carrying out the attacks was 18.

This fits with the picture that has emerged of the shooter in the Robb Elementary School attack. He turned 18 just days ago and reportedly purchased two military-style weapons. It is believed that the shooter used one miltary-style weapon in the attack, authorities said May 25, 2022.

Police have yet to release key information on the shooter, including what motivated him to kill the children and adults at Robb Elementary School. The picture of the shooter that has emerged conforms to the profile we have built up from past perpetrators in some ways, but diverges in others.

We know that most school shooters have a connection to the school they target. Twelve of the 14 school shooters in our database prior to the most recent attack in Texas were either current or former students of the school. Any prior connection between the latest shooter and Robb Elementary School has not been released to the public.

Our research and dozens of interviews with incarcerated perpetrators of mass shootings suggests that for most perpetrators, the mass shooting event is intended to be a final act. The majority of school mass shooters die in the attack. Of the 15 mass school shooters in our database, just seven were apprehended. The rest died on the scene, nearly all by suicide – the lone exception being the Robb Elementary shooter, who was shot dead by police. And school shooters tend to preempt their attacks by leaving posts, messages or videos warning of their intent.

The majority of mass school shootings were carried out by a lone gunman, with just two – Columbine and the 1998 shooting at Westside School in Jonesboro, Arkansas – carried out by two gunmen. In all, some 129 people were killed in the attacks and at least 166 victims injured.

Inspired by past school shooters, some perpetrators are seeking fame and notoriety. However, most school shooters are motivated by a generalized anger. Their path to violence involves self-hate and despair turned outward at the world, and our research finds they often communicate their intent to do harm in advance as a final, desperate cry for help.

The choice of “gunmen” to describe the perpetrators is accurate – all of the mass school shootings in our database were carried out by men or boys.

The key to stopping these tragedies is for society to be alert to these warning signs and act on them immediately.

NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION: HELPING PARENTS COPE WITH SHOOTING AT ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

By LENA DERHALLY Licensed Psychotherapist & Author of The Facebook Narcissist

Raising and sending children to school in the US during an ongoing epidemic of school shootings is always a worry for mothers. Every time a child comes home from school and shares that they did a "lockdown drill" that day, it gives us all a sinking feeling accompanied by deep sadness. It is surreal to think that our children, their teachers, and administrators have to prepare for an active shooter as if it's just a routine part of life that we must accept as a reality.

Most days, we can push the fear far down into our subconscious, but after Uvalde, we faced yet again, a horrifying and stark reminder that this could happen to anyone.

Helping parents cope with the recent shooting at Robb Elementary School isn't a one size fits all solution. Some parents who may be more prone to anxiety, depression, and ruminating and intrusive thoughts should limit their news consumption, if possible.

Some parents may have an immediate trauma response, which means they could become numb and shut down, or withdraw completely.

All parents, regardless of their response to this shooting should take time to honor and validate whatever they are feeling without judgment. These are scary times and it cannot be minimized, and we certainly can't talk our way out of our feelings.

Taking some kind of action is a great way to move from feelings of helplessness to powerlessness, especially when finding like minded people. Some people may feel compelled to attend a march, donate money to organizations or victims of the tragedy, or get involved in groups and movements that focus on making schools and communities safe from gun violence.

Find ways to connect and speak with other people about fears and anxiety. In some cases, talking to a therapist could help if you already have one, or if the feelings continue to linger and it starts to interfere with everyday life.

THE POWER TO "B" These moms from Connecticut designed a special charity bracelet that provides 100% financial support for the Robb School Memorial Fund The devastating loss of innocent lives in the recent Texas school shooting has left many of us wanting to help but feeling helpless. In an emotional and heartfelt video, sisters Christina Baribault Ortiz and Raeann Baribault Schwartz of Connecticut shared their feelings of grief, as well as a way to financially support those affected.

The founders of The Power to B jewelry collection announced that they created a custom-designed bracelet to benefit the children and families at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.

The memorial fund has been receiving 100% of the proceeds from every purchase of the limited-edition bracelet featuring the school’s colors.

To date, the sisters have helped raise thousands of dollars and they now have a permanent display at the GBK Brand Bar Boutique in West Hollywood.

“The money raised will be used for their back-to-school program which includes counseling that the children will need to try to get back to ‘normal’, although life will never be normal again,” said Baribault Ortiz, who co-founded The Power to B jewelry line with her sister after both struggled with infertility.

The pair is committed to philanthropy and has designed several unique and original bracelets to benefit various charities.

Previous bracelet campaigns have supported The Hope of Fertility Foundation, the Glastonbury Education Foundation and the UCONN Foundation.

Ortiz explains The Power to B bracelets encourage everyone to B Strong, B Fierce, B Badass, B Limitless, B Fearless, or B You by linking the cursive phrases with a colorful cord or chain. The commemorative Robb School Elementary bracelet features a power word in yellow gold on a maroon cord in order to give hope and strength to the wearer. The bracelet is available for purchase for $68 on the website while supplies last.

Baribault Ortiz is the mother of two (Scarlet & Kash, 9 and 7 years old) and Baribault Schwartz is mom to three (Eva, Zane & Raven, 5, 3, and 1 years old).

“As a mom with young children in school, I just keep thinking of the fear every day,” adds Baribault Schwartz. “I wear my “fearless” bracelet to try to fear a little less.”

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What Do Moms Really Want for their Children’s Education?

The fourth Sunday of July was National Parents' Day. President Clinton established this day in 1994 to promote responsible parenting and to recognize positive parental role models. And shouldn’t parents’ roles in education be a part of this designation? While parents make sure their children go to school, do the required work and stay in school, too many parents are finding their voice is unheard in discussions about how schools can best serve their children.

A recent poll of more than 5,000 parents found education ranks high among their concerns ahead of the critical midterm elections — and that 82% would vote for someone outside their party if the candidate’s education agenda matched their own. It’s clear that the pandemic substantially shifted parents’ views on education, making them more assertive about their own decision-making power in their children’s schooling.

Another survey of parents conducted on behalf of Good4U, a coalition of educators and community members, supports proven solutions that include fair access to education and opportunity, personalized and flexible instruction specific to the individual, and job and life skills training to give students a jump-start on their futures.

Among surveyed parents: • 92 percent say it’s important to ensure students advance from grade to grade based on their competency in the subject matter, rather than how much time they sit in a classroom.

• 86 percent say that it is important to help address societal inequalities by keeping kids connected to food, counseling and technology such as Wi-Fi, especially in rural areas and for students of color.

• 86 percent say that it is important to treat the behaviors associated with trauma-induced stress and grief as opportunities to teach life skills, not as discipline cases.

• 89 percent say it is important to structure school to serve individual students and understand that not all students learn in the same way.

Learn4Life, a network of 85+ high schools, has seen a growing demand by parents for schools that offer individualized instruction, flexibility and job training skills.

“Our proven model is ideal for the students who don’t thrive in a traditional classroom” said Lindsay Reese, area superintendent for Learn4Life. “Elected officials and educators need to recognize and support the role parents play in the education of their children and the changes they want to improve student outcomes.”

Unsilenced Voices Charity Event “Domestic violence is not a women’s issue...

“It’s a human rights issue.”

G

lobal domestic violence nonprofit organization Unsilenced

Voices (UV) and LA-based digital agency RayCo Media (RayCo) presented a fundraising dinner at the Braemar Country Club in Tarzana on Saturday, July 23, 2022, with Leigh Steinberg (“the real Jerry Maguire”) as keynote speaker.

Tickets to UV’s Annual Fundraiser To End Domestic Violence included dinner; open bar; dancing; and a silent auction of Rams and Dodgers tickets, the Andrea Bocelli experience in Italy, Kobe Bryant’s signed jersey, and more. Proceeds will benefit domestic abuse survivors with housing, medical, legal, and vocational needs.

“Domestic violence is not a women’s issue”, says Steinberg.

“It’s a human rights issue.”

Reports of domestic violence have skyrocketed nationwide since the pandemic started in 2020, as a largely invisible problem was exacerbated by economic stress, isolation, and grief. The exorbitant housing and living costs in Los Angeles create an extra barrier for those trying to leave a violent partner, and assisting survivors with the transition is a crucial way to prevent homelessness.

“This fundraiser will enable us to open the door for so many of our LA neighbors looking for a way out”, says UV founder Michelle Jewsbury. “We’re grateful to everyone joining us in this important cause.”

Along with RayCo, local event sponsors included blockchain startup JetSet Token, who is minting NFTs for the auction of artwork by abuse survivors in Sierra Leone (JetSet has chosen UV as its official charity of choice); commodities broker Noble Gold Investments; and cryptoIRA exchange My Digital Money.

Enjoy a fun night on the town while uplifting and empowering abused families by purchasing a fundraiser ticket here.

Photo Credit: Daniel Kavanaugh @danielkpictures Top: Leigh Steinberg address attendees at the charity event Bottom: From left: attendee Scott Nokami, event sponsor Sharon Plume, Guy Gotslak of My Digital Money, Rebecca Binny of RayCo Media, auctioneer Jonathan Ratter

Unsilenced Voices is a global 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in multiple countries to live safe, happy lives.

For more information, visit www.unsilencedvoices.org

The American Academy of Pediatrics Calls for More Support for Breastfeeding Mothers The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a policy statement this year that recommends breastfeeding children up to two years and beyond.

In the report, it maintained its recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first six months of life before introducing nutritious complementary foods. The AAP also encouraged social and systemic changes to support mothers who choose to breastfeed.

It’s the group’s first updated guidance in a decade and the updates supporting parents who choose to breastfeed their infant to age two and beyond— call for doctors to have “nonjudgmental conversations” with parents about their feeding choices.

“The AAP views breastfeeding as a public health imperative and also as an equity issue,” said Lawrence Noble, MD, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC, co-author of the policy statement and technical report, which details the evidence that supports human milk feeding. “Pediatricians and other medical professionals can help mothers meet their intended goals for breastfeeding and provide care that is inclusive, equitable, and culturally sensitive.”

The AAP outlines its recommendations and evidence of significant health benefits to infant and mother within an updated policy statement and technical report, both titled, “Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk” Published in the July 2022 issue of Pediatrics .

“Human milk is all a baby needs for the first six months of life,” said Joan Younger Meek, MD, MS, RD, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC, lead author of the reports, written by the AAP Section on Breastfeeding. “Breast milk is unique in its nutrients and protective effects, and really quite remarkable when you look at what it does for a child’s developing immune system. Not everyone can breastfeed or continue breastfeeding for as long as desired for various reasons, including workplace barriers.

Families deserve nonjudgmental support, information and help to guide them in feeding their infant.”

Research has shown that breastfeeding is linked to decreased rates of lower respiratory tract infections, severe diarrhea, ear infections and obesity. Breastfeeding is associated with lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome, as well as other protective effects.

The AAP recommends: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. There is no need to introduce infant formula or other sources of nutrition for most infants. Beyond 6 months, breastfeeding should be maintained along with nutritious complementary foods.

AAP recommends that birth hospitals or centers implement maternity care practices that improve breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity.

There are continued benefits from breastfeeding beyond 1 year, and up to 2 years especially in the mother. Long-term breastfeeding is associated with protections against diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancers of the breast and ovaries.

Mothers who choose to breastfeed beyond the first year need support from their medical care providers, as well as protections against workplace barriers.

Policies that protect breastfeeding, including universal paid maternity leave; the right of a woman to breastfeed in public; insurance coverage for lactation support and breast pumps; on-site child care; universal workplace break time with a clean, private location for expressing milk; the right to feed expressed milk; and the right to breastfeed in child care centers and lactation rooms in schools are all essential to supporting families in sustaining breastfeeding.

White, Hispanic or Latino and Asian families initiate breastfeeding at higher rates than the Black population in the United States, according to the 2018 National Immunization Survey (NIS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Similar disparities are also seen among mothers with low income (participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC]); younger women (younger than 20 years); and those with a high school education or less.

The policy statement calls for addressing implicit bias, structural bias, and structural racism to eliminate disparities in breastfeeding and improve the health and well-being of all children and families.

The policy also notes that children of gender-diverse parents may have less access to human milk because of both social and biological constraints. When working with gender-diverse families, AAP suggests asking families what terms they use and that the term “chestfeeding,” may be more accurate and inclusive as it concerns lactation and physiology in gender-diverse families.”

“Breastfeeding can be challenging for new parents, and support from their families, doctors and work places is essential,” Dr. Meek said.

“The health benefits are vast and can be viewed as a long-term investment not only in a child’s development, but to public health as a whole.”

What's in a Name?

THE FAMOUS CELEBRITY COUPLES WHO HAVE BLENDED THEIR SURNAMES TOGETHER

According to a recent UK poll, there has been a rise in couples blending their surnames together to create an entirely new one for their children.

Recently jumping on this name bandwagon are newlyweds Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham, formerly known as Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz.

With all this in mind, the team at Preply have provided a roundup of the other famous celebrity couples and stars (past and present) who have combined their last name with their partner’s.

1.

Shawn Knowles-Carter & Beyonce Knowles-Carter

Introducing everyone’s favourite power couple: Shawn Knowles-Carter and Beyonce Knowles-Carter.

After getting married to Queen B in 2010, Jay Z hyphenated his last name with his wife’s.

According to sources, the reason for the blending of surnames is because Beyonce doesn’t have any brothers and so wanted to keep her maiden name in the family.

Credit:@beyonce

2.

John Winston Ono-Lennon and Yoko Ono-Lennon

You’d be wrong to think that surname blending is something of a modern-day trend.

In fact, the act dates back to the 1960s, when John Lennon got married to his partner Yoko.

Getting married in Gibraltar, Spain, the Beatles singer said, “Yoko changed her name for me, I’ve changed mine for her.”

Credit:@john.yoko

3.

Marco Perego-Saldana and Zoe Saldana-Perego

A man that has defied gender norms and added his wife’s name onto his own is Marco Perego Saldana, husband to Zoe Saldana.

After their 2013 wedding, both partners changed their names respectively - becoming Zoe Saldana Perego and Marco Perego Saldana.

In an interview with InStyle, Zoe even admitted she tried to talk her partner out of changing his name due to fears he will become emasculated, but Marco stayed true to the love he shares with his wife and did not care!

Credit:@guacamoly

4.

Kim Kardashian West

Back when Kimye got married in Florence in 2014, the star later revealed to fans that she changed her name to Kim Kardashian West, posting a new passport photo on Instagram.

As the couple are going through a divorce right now, Kim now obviously goes by her OG name: Kardashian.

Credit:@kimandkanye

Back when Kimye got married in Florence in 2014, the star later revealed to fans that she changed her name to Kim Kardashian West, posting a new passport photo on Instagram.

As the couple are going through a divorce right now, Kim now obviously goes by her OG name: Kardashian.

Jada Pinkett Smith From controversial slaps to name changes, it seems that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have got each other’s backs through thick and thin.

Despite adding her husband’s last name to the end of her name after they got married, Jada admitted that she was hesitant about agreeing to her new name, writing on Facebook about how important it is for a woman to feel empowered.

Credit: @willsmithoficialbrasil

Emily Smith-Greenaway Associate Professor of Sociology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Ashton Verdery Professor of Sociology, Demography and Social Data Analytics, Penn State; Michelle Livings PhD Student in Population, Health and Place, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Rachel Margolis Associate Professor of Sociology, Western University

The big idea The death of a grandmother can have severe and lasting mental health consequences for both her adult children and grandchildren, according to our recently published study.

This finding may be surprising, because the death of a grandparent is a normal, even anticipated, part of life. Yet the effects are profound. Losing a grandparent can increase adolescents’ risk of having a depressed parent and of having higher depressive symptoms themselves.

Decades of research show that grandparents’ involvement and support is beneficial to their grandchildren. This is especially true for kids growing up with single mothers. Maternal grandparents often act as a safety net, providing benefits like housing stability, child care and financial and emotional support, all of which benefit their grandchildren’s health and development.

But what happens when a grandparent dies? In our study, we used a national dataset on a sample of mother and adolescent pairs whom researchers have interviewed multiple times since the child’s birth. We analyzed whether a maternal grandparent’s death during later childhood or early adolescence affected adolescents’, or their mothers’, depressive symptoms, net of depressive symptoms before the loss.

Following a grandmother’s death, adult daughters were more likely to become depressed relative to other women. Adult daughters experienced this increase in depression for up to seven years following the death. Adolescent boys who lost their grandmother in the prior seven years also had higher depressive symptoms than their peers.

We found no statistically significant increase in depression following a grandfather’s death.

Why it matters Adolescent mental health has worsened in recent decades. Experts stress the potential for the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate this concerning trend, pointing to the financial hardships, school disruptions and social isolation as prime reasons young people’s mental health could decline further.

The mental health effects of losing a loved one to COVID-19 have been curiously overlooked.

Although young people experience low COVID-19 mortality rates, COVID-19 mortality has intimately affected millions of young people.

Tens if not hundreds of thousands of youths in the U.S. have lost parents to COVID-19. And as of June 2022, our statistical models suggest that approximately 4 million people in the U.S. have lost a grandparent to COVID-19 in a mere two years – representing a significant increase in the burden of grandparental death experienced prior to the pandemic.

Our study suggests that this dramatic increase in the number of grieving adolescents will increase rates of depression in the U.S.

What still isn’t known A troubling possibility is that having a grandparent die of COVID-19 is even harder for adolescents than the pre-pandemic losses that we studied. COVID-19 deaths epitomize “bad deaths” – painful, frequently sudden deaths that happen alone and often strip families of the chance to say goodbye.

In other recent research, we found that adults who lost a spouse to COVID-19 face higher rates of depression and loneliness than those whose spouse died right before the pandemic.

Future research can assess whether losing a grandparent to COVID-19 has more severe or far-reaching consequences for adolescents than our analysis of pre-pandemic data shows.

We are also still examining the gendered nature of our study’s findings. Why does the loss of a grandmother seem to have deeper and longer-lasting effects than that of a grandfather? Why are boys uniquely vulnerable after losing a grandmother?

Gender socialization could explain boys’ higher depressive symptoms after a grandmother’s death. Adolescent boys may feel pressure to internalize their emotions. Additionally, a grandfather’s death could affect adolescents in other ways, such as their school performance and grades, maintenance of healthy relationships or risk behaviors.

Even as this study offers a small window into the distress of losing a grandparent, our findings underline the pressing need for adolescents and their parents to have access to support services as they navigate the cascading consequences that such a loss can set in motion – an all-too-common experience in the COVID-19 era.

Disclosure statement Emily Smith-Greenaway receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. She is a member of the Evermore Foundation's scientific advisory board.

Ashton Verdery receives funding from the National Institute on Aging, which is a part of the National Institutes of Health. He is affiliated with Evermore Foundation as a member of its scientific advisory board.

Rachel Margolis receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Michelle Livings does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

"We should enjoy food and have fun. It is one of the simplest and nicest pleasures in life."

- Julia Child

A A BUZZ BUZZ WITHOUT WITHOUT THE THE BOOZE BOOZE BRIANA KING THINKS BEING HUNGOVER IS BORING PHOTOS BY: EMILY EIZEN

Briana King is a skateboarder, community organizer, model and actor from East LA who's passionate about an inclusive, judgment-free, community within skateboarding.

She has brought together and encouraged female and LGBTQ+ skateboarders by organizing and hosting meet ups through Display Only, the organization she created with the goal of focusing on female and queer presence in skateboarding.

Recently, Green Monké, a "happy soda" company that launched last year in California and Canada reached out to King and invited her to join the brand in a unique collaboration. The company offers a line of three drinks with nostalgic fruit flavors– Tropical Citrus, Orange Passionfruit and Mango Guava. However, it was the drink's low-dose of 3mg THC and 6mg CBD that convinced King to accept this opportunity.

“Being hungover is boring, so cannabis helps me to relax without the need for alcohol," she said.

n July, Green Monké

I

announced its collaboration with King on a custom can design for the cannabis brand’s new high-dose offering of its signature Tropical Citrus flavor.

The 12 ounce cans deliver 10mg THC and 20mg CBD and come dressed in a sleek, purple-hued interpretation of Briana’s beloved Venice Beach Skatepark.

Inspired by the waves of calm that come from skating by the beach, the new cannabis-infused soda delivers a sweet pineapple and orange taste with an ear-to-ear smile-making high. Briana King’s favorite new beverage is now available for pre-order in California from greenmonke.com and from select dispensaries.

“I fell in love with drinking cannabis when I tried Green Monké’s Tropical Citrus soda, so partnering with the brand on a new can design featuring Venice Beach Skatepark combines two of my favorite vibes for humans to enjoy throughout California,” King explained.

As a way of marking the brand’s first year in California, Green Monké chose to take its signature Tropical Citrus flavor higher with 10mg THC and 20mg CBD wrapped in a collaborative can design from someone who embodies the brand’s commitment to judgment-free fun. Green Monké found it in Briana King and celebrates their passion for fostering an inclusive skating community that champions female and LGBTQ+ skaters.

As for Briana King, she continues working on creating safe spaces for skateboarders around the world, and inspires confidence in the younger generation. As a Black female skater, she has become someone skaters look up to and seek out, in a sport that has always highlighted white cis males.

Photo credit: Rebecca Peloquin for Beam Suntory Story Credit: PR Newswire

TESORO A LIMITED-EDITION, HIGH FASHION COLLABORATION BETWEEN EL TESORO™ TEQUILA AND GLADYS TAMEZ MILLINERY Photos by Rebecca Peloquin for Beam Suntory

El Tesoro de Don Felipe® Tequila and Gladys Tamez Millinery (GTM) teamed up over the summer to release a limited-edition hat inspired by Gladys' favorite tequila, El Tesoro™.

Known as the "treasure of Jalisco" (Tesoro is the Spanish word for treasure), the premium tequila serves as the inspiration for the all-new design crafted by Gladys Tamez, Los Angeles' "milliner-to-the-stars."

The luxury hat – named "The Tesoro" – is exclusive in design and is equally stylish for hombres y mujeres. Tequila fans and style enthusiast alike had an opportunity to purchase the summer's must-have fashion statement.

"The Tesoro" hat is made of 100% straw and sports the signature GTM crease down the center of the crown. The outside is adorned with a fine leather braid inspired by the leather artisans of Mexico and features a hand-engraved, antique-brushed brass agave medallion – a nod to the agave plants that are harvested to make the premium tequila. The inside rim of the hat boasts an in-seam custom ribbon that reads Gladys Tamez for El Tesoro™.

Offered in unisex sizes S and M, "The Tesoro" is available for purchase at the Gladys Tamez Millinery studio in Los Angeles as well as online at www.gladystamez.com. The specialty piece is a limited-edition luxury fashion item of just 150 hats and sold for $210 USD.

Born in Texas, raised in Mexico and a proud female Latina entrepreneur, Gladys Tamez is known for creating custom hats for countless Hollywood A-listers in music, movies, fashion, sports and beyond.

She has a reputation for artistry, craftsmanship and style often described as "unrivaled by any other hatmaker in the US," Tamez delivers impeccable designs that keep her illustrious clients coming back for her custom looks time and again. Widely credited for bringing the western cowboy style hat out of the southern markets and into mainstream, high-fashion circles – her portfolio of work is reflective of stunning and timeless works worthy of global super-stardom.

Sharing those same qualities of artistry, craftsmanship and style, is El Tesoro Tequila, produced at La Alteña Distillery since 1937.

Master Distiller Carlos Camarena, along with his sister Jenny Camarena, make El Tesoro using the same time-honored tradition their father and grandfather used, crafting tequila the old-fashioned way – by hand, using the materials of the earth to create a pure expression of agave. "The Tesoro" hat brings to life both artisan's shared values of quality and craft, honoring traditional wisdom and skill, and creating high art through shared passions: exceptional, premium tequila and luxury millinery.

"When El Tesoro and I came together to concept a custom hat inspired by their incredible tequila, it was an easy creative process for me from there," says Gladys Tamez. "I was immediately drawn to the beautiful packaging and presentation of the bottles, and the taste was like no other tequila I have ever tried. To understand how it is made and shared is to understand the soul of Mexico. It is truly an artist's brand that I am proud to collaborate with and celebrate – an authentic Mexican tequila that makes me extremely proud of my culture and homeland, the place where I was raised and discovered my passion for hat making."

The intersection between Gladys' aesthetic sensibilities and the El Tesoro brand world was fertile soil for creativity. Hats are worn regularly by the farmers, or los jimadores, at La Alteña Distillery, a mark of ease and function that inspired Gladys's timeless design that is built to last, along with the agave plant – the eternal source of life for El Tesoro Tequila that served as the muse for the piece.

The perfect accompaniment to "The Tesoro" bespoke hat is a bespoke cocktail created in collaboration with Gladys Tamez herself.

Called theTesoro Rosa, this delicious summertime sipper is a twist on the classic Ranch Water cocktail with elements of sweet and spiciness, two elements of Gladys' personality brought to life.

Tesoro Rosa Created by Gladys Tamez and renowned mixologist, Shawn L.

Ingredients: 1.5 part El Tesoro Blanco .5 part Lemon .5 part Lime .75 part Simple Syrup (1:1 sugar to water) 1.5 part Premium Soda Water 2 pinches of Salt 3 Jalapeno Slices 1 Strawberry Garnish: Edible Pansy flower

Directions: In a shaker, muddle the jalapeno slices, strawberry, salt and citrus. Add the tequila, simple syrup and ice. Shake and double strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top with the soda and garnish with a pansy flower.

Iconic Hollywood

D I S H E S ,

D R I N K S

&

D E S S E R T S

A BOOK BY AMY BIZZARRI Los Angeles is a city where film mingles with food. From healthful salads to sweet treats inspired by California's agricultural bounty, the innovative fare mirrors L.A.'s rise from a sleepy western outpost to celluloid dream, where food has always played an award winning role. The minds behind these delicious treasures include a pauper who reinvented himself as a prince, a penniless single mom who perfected a treasured recipe to create an empire and a guru who provided good vibes and scandal alongside cold-pressed juices.

Bake up the Cocoanut Grove's Coconut Strawberry Cream Tarts and sip a Zombie from the first-ever tiki bar to create a little Hollywood magic in your own kitchen, then join author Amy Bizzarri as she rolls out the red carpet in celebration of Tinseltown's iconic cuisine.

FROM THE BOOK: "JULIUS FREED, A MIGRANT FROM BUTTE, MONTANA, WHERE HE OWNED A CIGAR STORE, MOVED TO LOS ANGELES AND TRADED TOBACCO FOR ORANGES. HE OPENED A FRESHLY SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE STALL AT 820 S. BROADWAY. FREED'S REAL ESTATE AGENT...HAD A SENSITIVE STOMACH BUT LOVED ORANGE JUICE. SO HE CREATED A POWDER CONTAINING DRIED MILK, DRIED EGG WHITES, POWDERED SUGAR AND VANILLA THAT TURNED PLAIN ORANGE JUICE AND CRUSHED ICE INTO A FROTHY DELIGHT THAT SAT BETTER IN THE BELLY."

BUY THE BOOK

ORANGE JULIUS

3 CUPS FRESH-SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE 1/2 CUP POWDERED SUGAR 1/2 CUP DRY MILK POWDER 1/4 CUP EGG WHITE POWDER 1 TEASPOON VANILLA

chef wilson santos SHOWS US WHY RAPPAHANNOCK OYSTER BAR IN DTLA IS PERFECT FOR A MOMMY DATE -WITH OR WITHOUT THE KIDS

Chef Wilson Santos is about to celebrate four years leading the Rappahannock Oyster Bar in Downtown Los Angeles. He’s responsible for introducing popular menu items like the restaurant’s delectable lobster roll and the mouth-watering Michi…Lada!, a take on the popular beer concoction, except with shrimp and a fried oyster.

His journey to Rappahannock was a dream long in the making. He arrived from Las Lisas, Guatemala when he was a teenager and took jobs washing dishes at local restaurants, thanks to his older brother’s connections. He had begun working his way up until the 2008 recession left him jobless.

But his love for preparing fresh meals and his entrepreneurial spirit led Santos to start making fresh ceviche cups to make ends meet. He would store the ceviche cups inside a cooler and sell them out of his car at neighborhood parks.

"I don't want to follow recipes. I want to create!"

By 2009, he was given a chance to work at a restaurant in Hollywood, albeit with a minim wage salary. But Santos wasn’t worried about the pay. He saw the job as an excellent opportunity return to the restaurant business.

“I wanted to get back into a restaurant and show my skills” he recalls. “I didn’t care how much money I was making.”

Eventually he landed kitchen gigs at popular and exclusive Los Angeles restaurants like Church & State, El Cholo, Fleming’s Steak House and Chaya.

His Modus Operandi was always the same— every time he felt he had plateaued at a job, it was time to look for new opportunities to learn elsewhere.

Thanks to his restaurant experience, including his impeccable work ethic and months of training with Rappahannock’s oyster farmers in Virginia, Santos was given total creative freedom to come up with a good menu that would impress Angelenos.

“I don’t want to follow recipes,” Santos says. “I want to create."

On days when he wakes up with inspiration for a certain flavor or texture, he creates a dish and waits to hear customers’ reactions. After all, it’s the people that visit his restaurant that keep him motivated.

“I’m very close to the people. I’ve built connections with the people,” he says.

He is an oyster connoisseur who loves explaining why and how the mollusks may taste differently to diners.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar is perfect for a mommy date. If you take the kids, the Rapp burger and fries is an option everyone will love. For adults, a seafood tower is a culinary adventure in itself that will leave everyone pleased and excited to plan the next visit.

LOCATED INSIDE ROW DTLA 777 S. ALAMEDA ST. #154 LOS ANGELES, CA 90021 RAPPAHANNOCK OYSTER CO. OPERATES SIX RESTAURANTS, FIVE OF WHICH ARE LOCATED ON THE EAST COAST MAKING THE DTLA LOCATION A ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE. AMONG OUR FAVORITES: THE LOBSTER ROLL, THE SPICY YELLOWTAIL HAMACHI, THE SALTWATER OYSTERS AND THE BAY SCALLOPS IN A ORANGE SAUCE.

FREQUENTLY DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE BEST BURGERS IN LOS ANGELES, THE RAPP BURGER IS JUICY, TENDER AND CHEESY, AN EXCELLENT MENU CHOICE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SKIP THE OYSTERS. THE RESTAURAN'T DRINK MENU IS DIVERSE WITH WINE, BEER AND ARTISAN COCKTAIL OFFERINGS. OUR FAVORITE: THE MICHI...LADA!

GET TO KNOW THESE THREE BOSS LADIES THAT ARE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN LA!

DESI PERKINS AS THE CEO OF HER OWN SUNGLASS AND SKINCARE BRANDS IT'S NO WONDER DESI PERKINS IS ALWAYS GLOWING AND ALWAYS STYLISH. DURING A RECENT PANEL, SHE SHARED THIS WITH THE AUDIENCE ABOUT HER MULTI-TASKING PERSONALITY : "WHEN I WAS LITTLE I HAD SO MANY PASSIONS. I WANTED TO DO THEM ALL... I WANTED TO SING, I WANTED TO DESIGN CLOTHING, I WANTED TO DO MAKE-UP, I WAS A PAINTER AND MY MOM SAID: 'MIJA, YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON ONE THING."

MICHELLE JEWSBURY

MICHELLE IS AN INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR AND BREAKTHROUGH COACH. SHE'S ALSO THE FOUNDER OF UNSILENCED VOICES, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO HELPING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. HER DRIVE TO HELP WOMEN COMES FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. SHE ENDURED PHYSICAL ABUSE DURING A 3-YEAR RELATIONSHIP AND UPON HEALING FROM THE TRAUMA, SHE WROTE A BOOK TITLED BUT I LOVE HIM .

GABBY HUERTA

GABBY IS A BUSY MOM OF TWO YOUNG GIRLS. SHE WORKS FULL-TIME AND RUNS A SUCCESSFUL SKINCARE BUSINESS. PARTNERING WITH RODAN & FIELDS HAS ALLOWED HER TO HELP OTHERS FEEL EMPOWERED , CONFIDENT AND BEAUTIFUL IN THEIR OWN SKIN. AS A PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP ARTIST WITH A BACKGROUND IN FASHION DESIGN, SHE HELPS WOMEN UNDERSTAND THE "LESS IS MORE" PHILOSOPHY AND TEACHES PEOPLE TO ADOPT A GOOD SKINCARE ROUTINE.

THE MOMMY BLOGGER TRIBE, FOUNDED BY LOS ANGELES INFLUENCER NAZA HOLLIMAN HELD A SOCIAL BLOGGER MINI CONFERENCE ON MAY 20, 2022 AT THE VIOLET CACTUS IN BURBANK. THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE WAS "GROW & EARN" WHERE ATTENDEES WERE PRESENTED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO NETWORK WITH LIKE-MINDED WOMEN AND LEARN FROM A PANEL OF INVITED SPEAKERS. THE PANEL MODERATOR, JULIE LOPEZ, TOOK A MOMENT TO THANK HOLLIMAN WHO HAS EXPANDED THE MOMMY BLOGGER TRIBE TO VARIOUS CITIES ACCROSS THE COUNTRY OFFERING CONTENT CREATORS OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRAND COLLABORATIONS, HOSTED EVENTS AND GROWTH THROUGH MEMBERSHIP ACTIVITIES. "THE WOMAN THAT MADE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE IS OUR FOUNDER, NAZA HOLLIMAN. SHE VALUES AND PROMOTES COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION AND SHE ALSO RADIATES LOTS OF LOVE," SAID LOPEZ. EVENT SPONSORS INCLUDED LAZY DOG RESTAURANT, WHO PROVIDED CLUB SANDWICHES, AND CAESAR SALADS TO ALL ATTENDEES; WINE WATER; GOGO SQUEEZ AND WOWMOM. THE MOMMY BLOGGER TRIBE WILL HOST ANOTHER SOCIAL BLOGGER MINI CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2022. TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: WWW.THEMOMMYBLOGGERTRIBE.COM

A publication for L.A. women, with a Motherhood angle #ElevatingWomensVoices WWW.MOMMYINLOSANGELES.COM